231To George Washington from Anonymous, 18 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
Although my name will not be, to this paper many where you preside know me personally, I have been under your command when you were surrounded with eminent Danger. I lost every thing by the American War, nor, did I ever join the enemies of America in thought, word, or deed. I am banished from my native country like many others; because I cannot pay my debts; If I had the gold which I exchanged...
232To George Washington from Anonymous, 30 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Amid’st the more important objects which call your Philanthophy into action on a general scale, may not an individual intrude with his embarrassments stated. I have found it in vain to complain to trees, and to pour out where there is either a want of sentiment or ability, is equally fruitless: therefore I have resolved (perhaps improperly) to apply where there is both ability and benevolence;...
233To George Washington from Anonymous, 7 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
This letter, which begs of your Excellency the favour of a perusal begins with a confission of a fault, even while in the verry Commission of it; for indeed I confess, I do not think myself entitled to the freedom I now venture to take; but what will not a Man hazard when hope rouses him from despair! Alas how often has my honest avarice of the approbation of the good and worthy, been ready to...
234To George Washington from Anonymous, 9 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
The first request of General Washington is that he will burn this line after reading it, as it comes from a man who on his own account (unconnected with those who have the strongest ties on him) would not trouble any mortal with the request of a favor: therefore in case your more important duties obliges you to spurn at my intrusion, let it become impossible for any person by my hand writing...
235To George Washington from an Anonymous New Jersey Farmer, 7 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
As I have past your Quarters Several times Lately I saw With Concern A number of Peirsons Great Enemies to Your Excellency (as A general) and their Country Pleas therefore to take Great Care of the Name of Ogden, (Particularly that family) and their Connection Peter McKee &c. Depend on What I write here to be fact I know them Well. Abought 5 Days Ago one Wm Stewart an assistant of these fals...
236To George Washington from Anonymous, 3 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
I HAVE just seen your P roclamation , written with your usual propriety and delicacy. But I do not accord with your idea, that “the duty and interest of the United States require, that they should with sincerity and good faith, adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial towards the belligerent powers,” leagued against France. It is not their duty, because, though bound by no express...
237To George Washington from Anonymous, 1793 (Washington Papers)
permettez moi, mr le président qu’après avoir lu un voyage fait dans votre heureuse république en 1788 je vous fasse part de l’effusion de mon Coeur et des réfléxions quil m’a fait faire. Je Suis ravi, enchanté de la beauté, de la bonté de votre gouvernement et Ce qui me Comble C’est que je vois dans l’avenir, Si vous Continuez t’jours de meme Ce que j’espere, réaliser Ce réve enchanteur de...
238To George Washington from Anonymous, 13 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
I should never have presumed to address a letter to your Excellency and least of all an anonymous one, were it not for the delicate and responsible situation in which your power of nominating and appointing to office places you and likewise for the necessity consequent thereupon of your being acquainted with the character and abilities of various candidates. A Collector we are told is shortly...
239To George Washington from an Anonymous Citizen, 4 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
4 August 1776 . “My House is forcibly entered & posessed by officers and Soldiers without my Consent, to the number of 60 or 70. . . . From A barrack, my House is now become A mere Hospital Noise & Disturbance day and night, reign in every part—The two Halls below are occupied by the rude hand of Insolence the Doors nailed, & I am at last reduced to such narrow limits that the next...
240From “A true Friend to virtuous Liberty and Equality”, 4 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
A Short time ago having a few leisure weeks, curiosity led me to take a tour on horse back from this place through the central parts of the eastern states to Portsmouth in New-Hampshire, from thence along the post road to Savanna in Georgia, and from there back to this place, passing through the central parts of the southern and middle states on my return. A report having prevailed previous to...
241To George Washington from Benevolence, 4 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have lately travelld through the N. England States Vermont—&c. The Generale topick was the times but principally the Sufferings of our Citizens among the Algerines—At Several places the Generale wish was that the President Would Issue his proclamation for a generale Contribution for their Relief—I heard one farmer Say he would give 5 Guinies another 2. no person said under a Dollar. Upon the...
242To George Washington from One of the People, 16 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
I need not, I trust, make any apology for the freedom I now take in sending you these few lines—They are well intended, and cannot, I think, in reason, give any offence. The following truths are undeniable—There is a God—He is the supreme governor of the universe, both in a natural and moral sense—This God is holy, just, good, and merciful. Being holy, he cannot but hate sin; and being just,...
243To George Washington from Pastor Americanus, 17 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
The reason of my presuming to address you on the subject of the culture of Wool, is, because it is a matter on which the gradual abolition of our National Debt depend, i.e. upon industry and population of America, as the same is held forth in the following observations. That it is the real fact, I shall now undertake to prove: so always, and provided, That you will patronize the following...
244To George Washington from Comtesse d’Anterroches, 18 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
Fame has informed me that you are the friend of humanity—that your generous heart delights in doing good. I take the liberty to claim your protection for the Chevalier D’Anterroches my son, who is settled in Elizabeth Town, near New York. Altho’ I have no right to make a request of this nature, which is altogether an idea of my own; yet whoever dares to accuse me of imprudence, has never...
245To George Washington from d’Anterroches, 6 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
if I take the liberty to address myself to your Excellency, also I never yet had the honor of being introduced to you, believe that necessity alone can force me to do it, and not the want of delicacy. My own interest and of course that of my wife and children, obliges me to become troublesome to you; but your well known goodness gives me leave to hope that you will excuse me. If you will...
246From Edward Antill to David Humphreys, 25 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
As I go on Monday to Join the Cantonment of the Regiment I am under the Necessity of applying for permission to draw Provisions for my Famely Consisting of five Canadian Refugees. the mode of Drawing Suggested by the Minister of War has obligd me to Trouble You. as by the Inclos’d Copy of Directions to the Contractors. I should be obligd to send the monthly returns to Albany & Draw there...
247To George Washington from Edward Antill, 29 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Delicacy of a Millitary Character should be placed in the first Rank of all Public ones myself with the Other Officers of the Corps not Immediately Concernd in the dispute with Major Reid have foreborn Importunities or Sollicitations on that Subject not having a Wish to be troublesome. but the peace Establishment now hastening on and no Decision hitherto having taken place We beg leave to...
248To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antill, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to Appologize for troubling you again on the State of the Regiment. I forwarded to Head Quarters a Return of the Regiment as it then Stood & Requested your Intentions as to the Contents[.] Lt Wilson of our Regiment having Some business at Camp will Wait your Commands with which he will return to me, if your Excellency Declines filling up the Remainder of the Subaltern officers,...
249To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antill, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Assur’d, this will be delivered You, by Mr Bradford now Exchang’d: I could not in Justice to myself, & Family, forego so good an oppertunity, to mention my Situation to You Sir; particularly as it is to escape the prying Eye, of Impertinent Curiosity. Once more, in Anxious Expectation, of a Change, in our unfortunate Situation; we have waited the Result of the Commissioners meeting at Amboy:...
250To George Washington from Nathaniel Appleton, 4 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having been informed that the appointment of Commissioners of the Loan Office for the several States will shortly come under Your Excellencys consideration, I would with all due deference take the freedom to inform your Excellency that in the year 1776 I had the honor of being appointed to that Office in this State by the Legislature thereof, and of being continued therein by Congress to the...
251To George Washington from Nathaniel Appleton, 3 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
with great respect & diffidence I address the President of the United States. One of my sons Thoms Appleton about 26 years of age has resided in Paris the last 5 years, & has been connected in business with a very respectable House there, in supplying the City with Oil by contract, which gave a fair prospect of yeilding him a handsom proffit, but during the Revolution there, such dificulties...
252To George Washington from John Arbuthnot, 21 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
If I had not been very busy when I Received your Letter dated the 25th of January last, complaining of the treatment of the Naval Prisoners at this place, I certainly should have Answered it before this time; And Notwithstanding I then thought, as I now do, that my own Testimony would have been sufficient to have put the truth past a doubt, I ordered the strictest Scrutiny to be made into the...
253To George Washington from Edward Archer, 21 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Although I have not the honor of being personally acquainted with your Excellency I have taken the Liberty of addressing you. I observe a Bill is now pending before the representatives of the United States for establishing Marine Hospitals for Sick and disabled Seamen and preserving regular levies for the Harbours of the United States. The State of Virginia is now erecting a Marine Hospital...
254To George Washington from Henry Waldegrave Archer, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of informing you, of my intention of entering into the American Army, & becoming a citizen of the United States. Though a native of England, I feel myself quite attached to America, & firmly pursuaded, that I have brought hither dispositions entirely consonant to her welfare. From infancy I considered myself a member of the British Empire at large, including the colonies of...
255To George Washington from Thomas Archer, 22 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
On the 20th Ins’t was calld on to Visit your Molatto Man, who was then at Mrs Stiles’s Bush Town; Early in the Morning, he got up, & to all appearance was in perfect health, when he started on his journey from the Tavern, immediately after he came to a Run (not more than two Hundred yards from the House) which was considerably rais’d the preceeding Night by a sudden fall of Rain, in attempting...
256To George Washington from Colonel Arendt, 15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
As long as we have a design to prevent a Junction between the Enemys Fleet and their Army, the maintaining Fort Mifflin is indispensibly necessary—not that this place in itself hinders the Junction, tho it certainly contributes to that valuable purpose, but it gives Security to our Fleet, which could not keep its present Station if the Enemy should make themselves masters of the Fort & raise...
257To George Washington from Colonel Arendt, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Relying upon your words bidding me to have an intire Confidence in you, I entreat Your Excellency to give this Letter a favorable Reception. I have just discover’d since my absence that there is a great deal of Discontent in my Regiment, and altho’ I am perfectly convinced, that no one can complain either of my conduct towards him or on any other account, I believe however that the Discipline...
258To George Washington from Colonel Arendt, 11 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Substance of Baron Arendt’s Letter—General Varnum informed me this morning, that Colo. Smith had sent him word by an Officer, that he thought it impossible for the Fort to hold out longer than ’till night —and asked my opinion upon the subject—it was that the Fort should be maintained to the last extremity, but that the Cannon of the Battery should be brought off with all the superfluous...
259To George Washington from Colonel Arendt, 21 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just learnt that the honorable Congress has presented a Sword to Lieut. Col. Smith as a Recompense for his Bravery and good Conduct in the engagement with the Ships four weeks ago —and that it has been insinuated to my disadvantage that I was not present. As far as this mark of distinction concerns Colonel Smith, I have not a word of objection to it, but it is evident, and I believe all...
260To George Washington from Colonel Arendt, 30 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
In Order to avoid being troublesome to Your Excellency with my Letters, I have several Times wrote to Baron Stuben, requesting him to acquaint You that my Health was so far restored that I was desirous of resuming my Military Employment, in Case You should think proper to give me any other Post than that of Commanding a Regiment. To convince Your Excellency that it is for very weighty Reasons...
261To George Washington from Colonel Arendt, 20 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
At my Arriving in Burlington I had the pleasure of meeting with Lieut. Coll Green whose orders I have seen and find his directions are for Fort Mifflin instead of red Bank, as Expressed in mine, And as the date of my order was neglected, beg you will please to fix it on Acct of my Command, which Coll Green thinks Necessary—having had the misfortune to loose my Commission, beg you will please...
262To George Washington from Colonel Arendt, 25 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
In a former letter of mine, I had the honour to acquaint Your Excellency with my safe return to America, and as it hath happened that the same letter hath lain over in the place where I put it to be fowarded I beg leave to mention to You the Subject of it —At the same time I take the Opportunity to congratulate Your Excellency of Your health which by public Accounts of You is in a perfect...
263To George Washington from “A Republican,” 3 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
3 Sept. 1795. Writes that no act of the British since GW “engaged in politics” has received more reprobation by Americans than the recent treaty, because “it respects the entire surrender of this country into the hands of our inveterate enemies the British, ” and because of the secrecy surrounding it. The objects of John Jay’s mission appear “opposite to what he has accomplished in his...
264To George Washington from John Ariss, 12 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
I am now to inform your Excellency that a Mr John Beale came to my house on the 3th Instant and deliver’d me a Decree of the High Court of Chancery, Hites & others, against the Executors & heirs, of Thos Lord Fairfax Decd, and that on Thursday the 10th the Commissioners With Colo. John Green & Mr Isaac Hite came to my house and Asked me What Improvements was on the Lands Suppos’d to be in...
265To George Washington from John Ariss, 5 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to Address your Excellency for a place to live at during Mrs Ariss and my Own Life. I am under the Necessity of Giving Up the place I now live at at the End of this Year, and have not as yet provided my Self with a place, nor do I know of any to be had in these parts, my Infirm Crazy Indisposition puts it Out of my Power to go any Great distance[.] Your Excellency may possibly Assist...
266To George Washington from Colonel Armand, 5 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to tell to your Excellency that Having Heard one of your most essential reasons against my promotion—was that I was a very young officer in france —your Excellency must Have Been miss informed, for I am in the kings gards with the rank of a Captain since the beginning of the year 1766—and by the time of my Services, I am not far from getting the Crosse of st louis —if your...
267To George Washington from Colonel Armand, 28 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Le temps de mes Services en amerique Comparé avec Celui de quelques francois, au quel le Congress avoit accordé des promotions de Grade m’avoit engagé a Solliciter l’hyver passé la Commission de brigadier, le Commité que le Congress me fit l’honneur de nommer pour mes affaires, me dit que pour le moment present, il ettoit impossible de m’accorder ma demande, parce que Cela ettoit Contraire a...
268To George Washington from Colonel Armand, 4 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
the situation in which I do find my Self in this Country is So different from that of all others the french officers who Have Come to serve Here that it Does become necessary for me to take Extraordinary precautions in returning Home, otherwise I shall find my Self in worse circumstances for Having made Greater Sacrifices—my not Having been promoted after four years Services will be an...
269To George Washington from Colonel Armand, 4 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Colonel Armand, 4 Feb. 1780. On 6 Feb. , GW wrote to Armand acknowledging receipt of Armand’s letter “of the 4th.”
270To George Washington from Colonel Armand, 21 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I Have been Honor’d with the orders of your Exellency given to me in a lettre of the 5th Nbre the Contains of it were so nearly Connected with the Succés of a petition which I Had put at that time under the Consideration of Congréss that it was out of my power to answer sooner your favor —the promotions granted to my Country men in Consideration of small times of Services Had persuaded me that...
271To George Washington from Colonel Armand, 11 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
it was not in my power to finish sooner with Congress the business of the legion & yet I Have not anny prospect of Establishing that Corps on a proper footing & according to the Command I received from your Exellency —the board of war tells me, that, they Have no Clothing, arms , nor Horses & that they do not Expect to Have money to putchass thoses articles for the time they shall be wanted,...
272To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 28 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
When I went to princeton in order to pay my respects to your Excellency I requested your permission to place the legion in the line of penslvania—I was induced to take that step from the idea which many gentlemen in the assembly of that state, told me the assembly in General entertained respecting the legion & the advantage it would result to them from having that Corps into their at the same...
273To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 30 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose here a Copy of a petition of some of the officers of the army to Congress, & request the permission to make some remarks on the difference betwixt my proposal & their demand. they do not mention positively that any of them shall go & settle on the lands Granted by Congress, nor do they intimate that a body or several body of them wishes to go & settle in Company...
274To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 17 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday after fivety days passage from france—I have been so lucky as to answer the purpose of my journey there—having with me the cloathing and equipment for the legion firelock and shoes for the foots men exepted—I know that a large quantity of the first of thoses articles was Send to Congress—& could not get the shoes at time to set of by the opertunity of the frigate we...
275To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 7 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your answer to my last lettre—by the formers thestimony of the patronage which your exellency granted to my military fortune & by the uncheangeable resolution in which you are thot to inter in to the motives & stepts conducive to restore what promotions out of regular course have make me lost, I must be convinced of the unpropriety of my past & further application on...
276To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 14 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
the remaining of the legion are quartered in a such sickly place that many of the men being sick & one died few days ago the officers wishes your exellency would permit them to take a quarter two or three miles further where the men can be better accommodated and keep better their health—the quarter which thy request to go at, is near the half way house no further than six miles from yorck....
277To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 25 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
1 I have not till this day made any rappert of the legion to your Exellency because I had not Received the Cloathing & accoutrement of that Corps, & of Course Could not form nor give any idea of the time at which he Could take to the field—at last the whole of the equipement arrived at richemond by water & I had it brought here by my own means, I mean in paying my self the carryage of it—five...
278To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 29 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
agreable to your Commands of the 3d present delivered to me the 8th of the same month, I prepared to disband the legion—Capt. le bert paymaster who, since he had the honor to see your Exellency at princeton, had been continually busy with the commissioners of accounts to settle & close the final accounts of the non commissioned officers and privates went off the 11th when those accounts were...
279To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 9 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency that the officers of the legion under my Command have accepted of the Commutation of the half pay for life into five years full pay—I take the liberty to inclose here a copy of their determination on the Subject—I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Sir Your Excellency’s the most obdt hb. srt DNA : Item 149, Letters and Reports from...
280To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 30 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am this instant favoured with a lettre of the baron de Steuben a Copy of which I have the honor to inclose; as this is the first notice I have officially received relating to the society of Cincinnati , I have reason to be still at a loss to know whether the honor intended by the conference of that order on the americain’s officers extend to foreigners who have served in it with some...